FBI Emergency Alert: 7 Critical Red Flags To Immediately Spot And Delete Smishing Texts

As of today, December 18, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has escalated its warnings regarding a nationwide surge in "smishing" attacks, a sophisticated form of SMS phishing that is actively targeting millions of smartphone users across the United States. This cybercrime epidemic exploits trust in familiar entities—from local toll services and the DMV to major delivery companies—to trick victims into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or unknowingly handing over sensitive financial and personal information. The sheer volume and increasing sophistication of these text message scams demand immediate public awareness and a clear, actionable defense strategy to mitigate the risk of identity theft and financial loss. The core of the current threat lies in the attackers' ability to craft highly believable, urgent messages that demand immediate action, playing on a victim's fear of penalties or the desire to resolve an outstanding issue. The FBI's latest alerts, specifically highlighted by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), emphasize that these campaigns are not random but are highly targeted social engineering attacks designed to bypass traditional security measures by exploiting human psychology. Understanding the latest tactics—especially the impersonation of government and financial institutions—is the first, most crucial step in protecting your digital life.

The Anatomy of a Smishing Epidemic: What the FBI is Seeing Now

The term "smishing" is a portmanteau of SMS (Short Message Service) and "phishing," describing a social engineering attack executed through fraudulent text messages. Unlike email phishing, smishing texts often feel more personal and urgent because they appear directly on a mobile device, a platform many users instinctively trust. The FBI has documented a sharp rise in complaints, indicating that threat actors are successfully leveraging several key themes.

High-Priority Smishing Scams to Watch Out For

The latest FBI and IC3 reports detail several prevalent smishing campaigns that have resulted in significant financial losses for victims. These scams are highly effective because they often mimic services that require quick payment or action.

• The Unpaid Toll/DMV Notice: This is currently one of the most widespread scams. The text claims you have an "unpaid toll charge" (often referencing a specific service like Peach Pass or a state-level toll authority) or an issue with your vehicle registration at the DMV. It includes a malicious link to "pay the balance" or "verify your details" to avoid a late fee or penalty.
• Delivery Company Impersonation: Scammers send texts pretending to be from major shipping carriers (like FedEx, UPS, or USPS). The message states there is an issue with a package delivery—a missed delivery, an incorrect address, or a small fee required for redelivery. The embedded link leads to a phishing site designed to steal login credentials or credit card information.
• Financial Institution Alerts: These texts claim to be from your bank or credit union, warning of "suspicious activity" or a "security hold" on your account. The sense of urgency is designed to make you click the link and enter your banking credentials on a fraudulent website before you can verify the message's authenticity.
• Impersonation of U.S. Officials: A particularly alarming trend involves malicious text and voice messaging campaigns where threat actors impersonate senior U.S. officials. These sophisticated attacks often use a combination of smishing and vishing (voice phishing, sometimes with AI-generated voice) for state-backed espionage or major ransomware attacks, though they can also target the public.

7 Critical Red Flags: How to Spot a Malicious Text Message

The FBI urges all smartphone users—on both Android and iOS platforms—to exercise extreme caution. The best defense against smishing is the ability to recognize the subtle, yet critical, warning signs that distinguish a legitimate message from a malicious one.

1. The Sense of Immediate Urgency or Threat: Almost all smishing texts create a panic response. They use language like "Immediate Action Required," "Account Suspended," "Final Notice," or "Pay Now to Avoid Penalty." Legitimate organizations rarely use such high-pressure tactics in initial communications.
2. A Request for Personal or Financial Information: A genuine bank, government agency (like the IRS or DMV), or toll service will never ask you to provide sensitive data—such as your full Social Security Number, bank PIN, or full credit card number—via a text message link.
3. Suspicious or Shortened URLs: The text contains a hyperlink that uses a URL shortener (like bit.ly or tinyurl) or a domain name that looks similar to a real company but has a slight misspelling (a technique known as "typosquatting"). Always hover over or long-press a link (without clicking) to preview the full destination address.
4. Generic or Impersonal Greeting: The message often starts with a generic greeting like "Dear Customer" or "Account Holder" instead of using your actual name. Scammers use bulk messaging tools and often lack personalized data.
5. Unexpected or Unsolicited Messages: You receive a text about a package delivery when you haven't ordered anything, or a toll charge from a road you haven't traveled on. The message is completely out of context with your recent activities.
6. Poor Grammar, Spelling, or Formatting: While sophisticated scammers are improving, many smishing texts still contain noticeable errors in spelling, grammar, or inconsistent formatting, which is highly unprofessional for a legitimate institution.
7. The Sender's Phone Number is Unusual: The text comes from a standard 10-digit mobile number, a random-looking email address, or a strange five-digit short code, rather than the official, verified number or short code used by a major company.

FBI's Immediate Action Plan: Protecting Your Digital Wallet and Identity

When you receive a text message that triggers any of the red flags above, the FBI’s advice is clear and non-negotiable: Do not click the link, do not reply to the message, and do not call any number provided in the text.

The Three-Step Defense Strategy

The most effective way to protect yourself from smishing is to follow this immediate protocol:

1. Delete the Text Immediately: The FBI urges all smartphone users to delete the fraudulent text message immediately to remove the temptation to click the link later. Deleting it prevents accidental engagement with the malicious content.
2. Verify the Source Independently: If the text claims to be from your bank, the DMV, or a delivery company, open a new browser window or use the official mobile app to log into your account. Alternatively, call the organization using a phone number you know to be legitimate (from their official website or a statement), not the number provided in the suspicious text.
3. Report the Incident: Reporting is vital for law enforcement to track and stop these cybercriminals. You should report the smishing attempt to two key entities:
   • The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): File a detailed report with the FBI’s IC3. This is the central hub for reporting cybercrime, and the data collected helps the FBI issue new alerts and investigate large-scale campaigns.
   • Your Mobile Carrier: Forward the suspicious text message to the short code 7726 (SPAM). This reports the number to your carrier, which can help them block the sender and prevent future attacks.

Essential Mitigation Tips

To further enhance your defense against smishing and other cyber threats, integrate these practices into your mobile security routine:

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use MFA on all critical accounts (banking, email, social media). Even if a scammer steals your password via a phishing site, they will be unable to access your account without the second verification code.
• Keep Your Operating System Updated: Regularly install the latest security patches for your Android or iOS device. These updates often contain critical fixes that prevent malware from exploiting vulnerabilities.
• Be Skeptical of Unknown Numbers: Treat any unsolicited text message with a link or a request for information as suspicious. A moment of skepticism is the strongest firewall against social engineering attacks.

The rise of smishing is a clear indicator that cybercriminals are adapting their tactics to exploit the convenience and constant connectivity of the modern smartphone. By staying informed about the latest FBI warnings, recognizing the seven critical red flags, and adopting the immediate three-step defense strategy, you can significantly reduce your risk and help the FBI in its mission to combat this pervasive form of cybercrime. The fight against smishing requires constant vigilance and a commitment to digital security best practices.